Comments on: Seaplane Stuck During Nicholas Cage Film Shoot: Breaks Apart During Salvage

By: Jawsfan

Jawsfan — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 19:09:20 +0000

So there’s the “Big fat PBY that came to pick us up” that Quint referred to in Jaws during his famous monologue. That part of the film always gave me the creeps.

By: jeeperman

jeeperman — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 11:53:25 +0000

I can now understand why it broke apart : SeaTow was trying to lift onto a barge.
They are in the business of towing a floating boat with a long rope to dock.
And that is all.

By: Laura

Laura — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 01:37:28 +0000

Such a sad day! Many, many hours, money and LOVE spent on 85U. The one thing I can say, sadly- Bud is not here to witness, this. I sincerely hope that the projected revenue from a classic move was worth it.. I KNOW this airplane, have for many years…..there is NO EXCUSE for un-qualified CHEAP maintenance….Had it all been in “order” to begin with…..I can guarantee this would NOT have happened…… Such a WASTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry Bud! But glad you are not here to see what has happened…..

By: b

Fri, 03 Jul 2015 20:01:11 +0000

From what I understand Sea-Tow went out to remove the plane, and when picking it up to put it on a Barge it fell apart..

By: Bob C.

Bob C. — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 18:28:02 +0000

@ FYI….
True on Hunter Scott…..he started research on the USS Indianapolis when he was doing a history project in middle school.
His introduction came as a curiosity from viewing the movie “Jaws”.

By: Jim

Jim — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 13:20:04 +0000

Mike, the Catalina had retractable landing gear, used primarily for entering and departing ramp-equipped seaplane areas. Although, to meet military contract requirements, the planes had to be capable of handling a runway or carrier landing, most pilots at the time were not enthusiastic about doing that because of the minimal ground clearance and the reliability of the retractor system under impact stresses.

The plane in the photo is going to have serious eleectrical and mechanical issues since it appears that the cockpit is submerged. I can only imagine the saltwater and sand intrusion that is happening.
I know that a lot of downed pilots loved the PBY’s because when they knew that they’d been located by the Catalina’s crew that it would only be a matter of minutes before the Catalina would be cruising alongside to Sad to see such a great old plane enduring this indignity.

By: FYI

FYI — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 12:46:03 +0000

Many know but some might not, had it not been for a Pensacola high school student Hunter Scott, the story of the Indianapolis and this movie would never have been documented. His teenage investigation led to the exoneration of the Indianapolis Captain.

By: Sea Lawyer

Sea Lawyer — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 12:08:34 +0000

@Chris,
Beaches are far more beautiful in PI than OB.

By: TG

TG — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 11:20:54 +0000

They get to add a little extra exciting footage to the film.

By: chris

chris — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 11:09:19 +0000

I would much rather be stranded in Orange Beach than the Philippines.